Pub. 14 2015-2016 Issue 1

N E W J E R S E Y C O A L I T I O N O F A U T O M O T I V E R E T A I L E R S I S S U E N O . 2 , 2 0 1 5 28 new jersey auto retailer The Benefits Of Workers’ Compensation Coverage Workers’ compensation insurance is a type of insurance purchased by employers for coverage of employment- related injuries and illnesses. It is a state-mandated program that allow an employee who is injured on the job to continue to receive some form of compensation. Because workers’ comp acts as a type of insurance, it precludes an employee from suing their employer for the injuries covered. If an employee sues their employer, they waive their right to workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ comp covers a very broad range of injuries, but claims can be denied if the injuries were self-inf licted, if an em- ployee was violating a law or company policy or if an employee was not on the job at the time of the injury. The insur- ance typically covers: medical care from the injury or illness, replacement income (usually two-thirds of a worker’s average wage up to a fixed maximum amount), costs for retraining, compensation for any permanent injuries and benefits to survivors of workers who are killed on the job. Workers’ compensation benefits do NOT cover pain and suffering. NJ CAR Of fers A Workers’ Compensation Program That Is VERY Competitive The New Jersey Compensation Rating & Inspection Bureau, which sets Workers’ Compensation rates for the entire indus- try, increased rates AGAIN in 2015. The rates for Service Department employees has grown from 4.17 in 2009 to 6.28 in 2015- a 50.6% increase in just 6 years! Rates for Sales and Clerical employees have also been increased, to 1.23 and .28, respectively. The NJ CAR Workers’ Compensation Program, offered by Gallagher Bollinger through AmTrust North America, offers various opportunities for dealers to dull the impact the Bureau’s continual rate increases have on their bottom line. NJ CAR moved its Program to AmTrust in order to provide added value and en- hanced benefits for NJ CAR members and their employees participating in the Program. Following are just a few advantages dealers will find when they participate in the NJ CAR Program: • Based on your dealership’s loss experience, you may be eligible for up-front credits. • Individual Dealership Divi- dend Plan – Again, based on your experience, you could be eligible for a dividend after policy expiration. • Continuation of a Premium Payment In- stallment Plan. • Online Claims Reporting with im- mediate access to a claim number, and continued online access to your claims history. • An on-staff, dedicated Loss Control professional who will focus on work- ing with participating dealerships to reduce/control claims on an ongoing basis, NOT just an annual inspection. Give NJ CAR t he oppor t un it y to ea r n you r busi ness. For more i n- formation contac t Jud i McGin ley, NJ CAR’s Director of Member Pro- grams, (609.883.5056, Ext. 338; jm- cginley@njcar.org) , or John Birof ka at Gallagher Bollinger (732.837.9130; john_birofka@ajg.com ). BY JUDI MCGINLEY